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Pipo FAQ – Specs, Compatibility & Ordering

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Connections & compatibility

Which software works with Pipo?

Any software that can receive MIDI or OSC. Pipo is used with Ableton Live, TouchDesigner, Max/MSP, Pure Data, VCV Rack, MadMapper, Isadora, Resolume, openFrameworks and many more. No plugin or driver is needed: over USB or Bluetooth, Pipo shows up as a standard MIDI controller, so any DAW can map it with its usual MIDI learn or controller assignments.

Do I need an app or the config page to use Pipo?

No. There is no app to install: the configuration page is hosted on the module itself and is only needed to change settings. Settings are saved in the Pipo, so once it is set up the way you want, it sends data as soon as you switch it on. You can receive the data in your own OSC or MIDI software.

Do I need an internet connection?

No. Pipo only needs a local network. A Wi-Fi router with no internet access works perfectly (a dedicated router is actually the ideal setup), or you can connect your computer directly to the Pipo's own Wi-Fi.

Which connection should I use: OSC over Wi-Fi, USB MIDI or Bluetooth MIDI?

  • OSC over Wi-Fi: the best choice for most projects, and the one I recommend for dancers and performers. Values are sent as floating-point numbers (much higher resolution than MIDI), latency is around 5–15 ms, the range is long, and Pipo reconnects automatically to a router it knows. Several Pipos and computers can share the same network.
  • MIDI over USB: plug and play on any computer, no driver. As fast as OSC, but wired and limited to MIDI resolution.
  • MIDI over Bluetooth LE: handy with macOS, mobile apps and Bluetooth MIDI synths. It is a bit slower (latency up to about 30 ms depending on how many channels you send), has a shorter range (about 3-5 m for a reliable connection), and needs to be paired manually.

See OSC, USB MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI for setup.

Can Pipo send OSC and MIDI at the same time?

No. You choose between OSC mode (Wi-Fi) and MIDI mode. In MIDI mode, data is sent either over USB only, or over USB and Bluetooth at the same time.

Does Pipo work on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android?

  • USB MIDI works on any Mac or Windows computer, like any other MIDI device.
  • OSC is purely network-based: any device and app that can receive OSC will work.
  • Bluetooth MIDI depends on the platform:
    • macOS: pair it once in Audio MIDI Setup, then it appears in all your apps like a USB MIDI device.
    • iPhone / Android: depends on the app. Bluetooth MIDI devices are connected from inside the app (they don't appear in the phone's Bluetooth menu), and not every app supports them.
    • Windows: a third-party app is required to connect Bluetooth MIDI devices, and it adds some latency. On Windows I recommend USB or OSC instead. Using a BLE to USB receiver adapter is also a good option.

Can I play a hardware synth without a computer?

Yes, over Bluetooth MIDI, if your synth (or a Bluetooth MIDI adapter) supports it. Users report reliable results with Teenage Engineering synths, for example. Pipo sends standard MIDI, so it should work with most Bluetooth MIDI devices, but I can't guarantee compatibility with every one of them.

What is the MIDI resolution?

MIDI messages are currently standard 7-bit (0–127). If you need finer control, use OSC: values are sent as floating-point numbers. 14-bit MIDI is on the roadmap.

Using several Pipos

Can I use two (or more) Pipos at the same time?

Yes, and the best way is through a Wi-Fi router:

  • Connect all your Pipos and your computer(s) to the same router. Many Pipos can share one network, they reconnect automatically when switched on, the range is longer than with a direct connection, and the latency is the same.
  • If two Pipos are of the same type (for example two Pipo Motion), give one of them a new name first. The name sets the Pipo's Wi-Fi name, its config page address (pipo-<name>.local) and its OSC address prefix, so you can tell their data apart. Pipos of different types (a Motion and a Range) already have different names.
  • In MIDI, set each Pipo's channels to different MIDI channels or CC numbers in the config page.

Direct connection

When your computer connects directly to a Pipo's own Wi-Fi, it can only join one Pipo at a time. That means one Pipo per computer (several such pairs can work side by side in the same room). For more Pipos, use a router.

Pipo Motion

Can Pipo Motion track its position in space (X/Y/Z)?

No. Pipo Motion is not a tracking device: it measures orientation, rotation speed and acceleration, not its location in the room. You can still get very intuitive control from it:

  • Orientation (yaw, pitch, roll) is the easiest to understand: tilt up = high, tilt down = low. Euler angles jump when they reach ±180° (or ±90°). The Cyclic option in the channel settings removes that jump, and quaternions (over OSC) give robust 3D orientation.
  • Gyroscope is the rotation speed around each axis: a value exists as long as you rotate, and it drops to 0 when you stop.
  • Linear acceleration only spikes at the start and end of a movement (constant speed = 0). It is great for triggering events with taps or hits.
  • Magnetometer measures the magnetic field (it is used to find magnetic north) and is exposed for experiments. Its response is very non-linear, so it is hard to use for direct control.

How fast and responsive is Pipo Motion?

  • The sensor is read at 400 Hz.
  • Pipo only sends data when something changes, so the output rate depends on the movement, the connection and your settings: typically around 200 messages per second over OSC (up to 400)
  • Latency, measured from the physical movement to the message arriving in your software, is 5–15 ms over OSC. Over Bluetooth MIDI it depends on how much data you send and can reach about 30 ms.

Does the orientation drift?

Small yaw (heading) drifts can occasionally happen, and the sensor recalibrates quickly when they do. Relative and absolute modes are equally stable: absolute mode uses the ground and magnetic north as zero, while relative mode uses an orientation you choose (short press on the function button to capture a new zero, long press to switch to absolute mode).

Can I pause the output without losing my settings?

Yes. The Play/Pause button only stops the data from going out. Your configuration and your orientation reference are kept, so you can move freely and resume control.

Battery & power

How long does the battery last, and how long does it take to charge?

Battery life is currently rated at around 2h30. A full charge takes about 1h30 to 2h. The charging LED is red while charging and turns off when the battery is full.

Can I use Pipo while it's charging, or with a power bank?

Yes. You can power Pipo through its USB-C port at any time, from a computer or from a power bank of any size (for example a small one worn during a long performance). It works normally while the battery recharges.

Is the battery replaceable?

Yes. The cover is held by two screws and uses a standard JST-PH 2-pin connector, so it can be replaced at the end of its life. For projects that need a much longer runtime, the module can be taken out of its case and fitted with a bigger battery.

Ordering & shipping

Where can I buy Pipo?

  • Europe & UK: directly from my shop, shipped from Belgium. This is the best option in Europe, as Crowd Supply doesn't always have stock.
  • Rest of the world: on Crowd Supply, where Pipo Analog and Pipo Range are available as part of the Pipo Set.

How long does shipping take?

Orders in Europe are shipped from Belgium with Mondial Relay, which usually takes about 5 days (for example to Germany). If you need it faster, contact me before ordering: express shipping is possible at extra cost.

Can I get an invoice with VAT for my company?

Yes. The online shop can't issue VAT invoices yet, so business orders with a VAT invoice are paid by bank transfer. Send me your company name, VAT number and billing address through the contact form, and I'll send you an invoice with the payment details. For EU companies outside Belgium with a valid VAT number, the invoice is issued without VAT. If you already paid through the shop, I can refund that order and replace it with an invoice.

Will Pipo get new features?

Yes. Firmware updates are free and installed from your browser. New features keep being added, often based on user feedback, so if you are missing an option, tell me or ask on Discord.

Do you make custom versions?

Yes. Custom sensors, cases and full installation electronics are possible: see design services.